By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, Mo. – Missouri House and Senate leaders have agreed on a smaller version of the tax credit bill vetoed by Governor Matt Blunt earlier this month.
The new package contains about 70 million dollars worth of tax breaks, compared to 200 million in the original bill.
It includes credits for the quality jobs program, enterprise zones, and new markets.
House Speaker Rod Jetton said he expects little opposition to the measure.
"We've debated all these things," Jetton said. "I think everyone's knowledgeable of the different provisions. It's just a matter of communicating what's staying in and what's being cut out and whether the senators are happy with it as a whole. I think we can knock it out pretty quick."
Also in the legislation is a controversial provision that gives tax credits for buying large parcels of land in depressed urban areas. Critics say it's meant to benefit a developer who has bought hundreds of properties in north St. Louis.
Governor Blunt has said he'd call a special session if a smaller tax credit bill can be agreed upon.
Jetton believes it would most likely happen in early or mid-August.